Orange County Commissioners proclaim April as Southeast Texas Big Read

County Judge Carl Thibodeaux declared April 2013 as “Southeast Texas Big Read” month in Orange County at the commissioners court special meeting Monday, March 25. Orange Public Library director of services Mary J. McCoy appeared before the court and accepted the honor on behalf of Orange County. According to the proclamation, the Big Read endeavor is meant to encourage reading in the area. The focus of the initiative this year is the Rudolfo Anaya novel “Bless Me, Ultima.” The work is a coming of age tale centered on a young, Latino protagonist, Antonio Márez y Luna. Local schools and libraries have been promoting the book as part of the Big Read.

In other business, Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Rocky Bridges was appointed as Rabies Control Officer for the county. Bridges already acts as the county’s animal control officer. Thibodeaux said it is mandatory that the county have a Rabies Control Officer, so Bridges was chosen as the most qualified candidate.

During citizen comments, Pct. 1 Commissioner David Dubose said he would like to respond to something Pct. 4 Commissioner Jody Crump said at the previous meeting. Dubose read from a prepared statement.

“During Commissioners Court Monday, March 17, 2013, it was stated that Golden Triangle Days was, and I quote, ‘a photo-op for politicians.’ This is far from the truth.”

Dubose went on to say 346 citizens participated in the event, 93 from Orange County. He said he believes the event had merit and topics like economic development, education, environmental quality, healthcare, taxes, transportation and insurance were discussed at Golden Triangle Days.

“I believe that the 346 citizens that traveled to Austin, including Judge Thibodeaux and myself, were more concerned about issues that affect Southeast Texas than a photo-op.”

He encouraged anyone who has not attended Golden Triangle Days to do so during future events.

Sharon Brooks can be reached at (409) 832-1400, ext. 241, or by e-mail at sharon [at] theexaminer [dot] com.